Yo, the script for Milagro is fucking amazing. Milagro is one of my all-time favorite episodes, so I was expecting to enjoy it, but it ended up being entertaining on an entirely different level than what I was expecting. So incredibly melodramatic and self-aware.

#TheXFiles

One thing the script is really good at is building tension when Padgett is just sitting there. Or staring at people. Which he does... a lot.

The Padgett Stare.

"Staring at her. Staring as we've come to know he can stare."

That hint of cleavage Scully was showing when she was going to see Mulder at the beginning of Milagro? Totally scripted and actually quite relevant to the plot of the episode.

Brushing your teeth probably reads better as "getting ready for the day" than splotches of shaving cream.

Also, more staring.

"Breathing hard, sweat glistening on his brow. As if he's just run a race. Or killed a man."

Tiny snippet of cut dialogue.

(Well, it's 3:30 am, and I need to sleep, so... to be continued? Also wondering if I should turn this into a full blown #XFScriptWatch or just continue posting bits here and there when I get the chance.)

Okay, let's get this thread back on track!

~End of Act One~

Begin Act Two:

#XFScriptWatch #Milagro

"Isn't this where your mail comes now?"

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"Until she looks up at Mulder with a troubled expression. Something bordering on anger."

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More stalkery Padgett stuff in the script from when Scully enters the church.

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"The walls are a little thin."

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"Watching Scully. Staring, like we know Padgett can stare."

(Gillian's performance in this scene is amazing.)

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Mulder's "I was about to start slicing and dicing, myself" line originated as "I was going to put on the scrubs and sharpen a knife." As usual, David's interpretation of the line is a little more fun.

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No real direction here, just the actors doing their thing.

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Nope, no mail theft here. I have no idea what you're talking about.

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It's mentioned multiple times in the script that the elevator button for the 4th floor doesn't light up when pressed. Also, Padgett is staring again.

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Mulder can stare, too.

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"...Mulder a few steps ahead of Padgett. Feeling Padgett's eyes on him. Why does he feel Padgett's suspicion?"

"Mulder's caught in the Padgett stare."

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Uh oh, here we go...

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"Scully lowers the pendant, looking around to see if anyone has spied her or seen the flush Padgett is rightly describing."

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Let's, uh, set the mood a little...

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"Padgett. On his bed, lying with his back to us. And -- ohmygod -- it appears that he's entwined with someone, kissing this someone passionately, his legs entwined with hers. And we fear the worst. No, it can't be. Not Scully."



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"CAMERA CLIMBS up and over Padgett now to REVEAL... SCULLY. She and Padget are going for it. Passion unleashed."

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No "Mr. Popularity" line in the script.

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"As if he knew that the knocking would come, but now doesn't quite believe it."

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"Under her trench coat, Scully is wearing the same blouse and skirt that she wore in his fantasy."

"If he played hurt, it would be inappropriate of him. If he were anxious, it would allow her to back away. But Padgett seems to question the very honesty of her rejection."

Some nervous laughter from Scully.

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"Padgett smiles politely, as if he knows better."

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"If not for Padgett's gentle manner, Scully would feel threatened enough to bolt. As it is, she feels extremely unnerved."

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"Padgett sees that the mood has turned. He smiles charmingly."

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Brief cut shot of Mulder listening in on Scully and Padgett through his heating register.

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"He fumbles for the light, as Scully appears in the frame of the door, several steps back. Noncommittal."

"Padgett straightens, pulls the sheet on the window haphazardly aside, just as we saw it pulled aside in his fantasy."

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"They sit silently in the darkness for a moment. And we should be shitting ourselves"

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~End of Act Two~

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Begin Act Three...

"Padgett shrugs, not guilty, but maybe a little sheepish."

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"Mulder's getting red in the face. Scully sees this, and reaches to his arm, grabbing at it gently."

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"She has a point. Mulder concedes this in frustrated silence. But that's all he concedes. Taking a new tack."

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"Scully tries to act shocked, when she's actually disturbed."

"SCULLY
I think you know me better than that, Mulder.

Does he? Mulder studies Scully. Reading her awkwardness."

#XFScriptWatch #Milagro

Another cut scene with Padgett that ended up not really being necessary.

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I just really like this shot.

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Hey, remember that time Scully was getting a little too into reading smutty fanfic about herself?

"She's so flustered by Padgett's book it's as if the man has caught her... well, with her pants down."

#XFScriptWatch #Milagro

I won't lie, this part is just an excuse to post pictures of Mulder in sunglasses.

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"Mulder puts his hands on Scully's shoulders, so he can spin her around and effectively switch positions with her."

(This one is dedicated to @KikoCrystalBall. )

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"Scully's honest feelings are on her face. Not in her answer."

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"With that, Padgett turns and exits, not looking at Scully as he goes. It's a weird moment, not lost on Mulder and Scully."

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"Don't you have any place to sit?"

I understand why the line was cut, but I still think it's pretty funny.

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Padgett is staring again.

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Um, interesting musical choices?

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Now staring blankly.

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Mulder, you couldn't have waited five seconds for Scully to put her shoes on?

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"I'll tell you. He kills her."

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"It's as if he's impervious to their physical effects."

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Almost there...

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"In fact, she reaches for him and pulls him down toward her. Pulling herself up to him. Clutching onto him for dear life, choking down sobs."

The end!

#XFScriptWatch #Milagro